Introducing Jonn~

[jonn r]

well hello all my name is Jonn and i am from western maine.... so here is a little about me....i have a little girl named maiah and she is 4 next week...so i think i found this site at just the right time i think i am going to have to start dialysis soon..just not sure when. i am getting the surgery to join two veins together next friday and well i am FREAKING OUT..the sad part is i read this web site and i just start to cry...i just want to curl up in a ball and forget about it all....so what i am saying is if anyone can PLEASE give a 37 year old some kind thinks to say please do...and if you can e-mail me


Moved to new thread - Rerun - Moderator

[Rerun]

Welcome Jonn.  You just look at Maiah and realize that dialysis will allow you to see many of her birthdays.  Look into a transplant ASAP.  You can do this. 

Welcome to this site.  On days that you want to cry......email me!  I'm always ready for a good cry!   

 

[Fox_nc]

Trust me, we've all been there and we understand.  Anything you need, just let us know.  You have come to the right place for support!  Gather some info from the forums and ask questions in any of them you want more information.

 

[paris]

Hi Jonn, I think we all have felt the same way. I keep thinking they had to have made a mistake and this isn't really my life.  Your sweet little girl is reason enough to get through anything that lies ahead.

[Black]

 You are in the right place at the right time.    With what you can learn here it is likely you will live to see your grandchildren, and possibly much longer.  You are young; talk to your nephrologist and get on the transplant list ASAP.

[Sluff]

Hey John welcome to IHD.com That is exactly why this site exists. This is like family here so thanks for expressing your feelings with us.

[Zach]

It's good to have you here and part of our community.
 

[anja]

  Jonn, glad you found this site before you actually have to start dialysis.  It did me a world of good at my time of need.  It answered many questions I had and helped me to choose( demand to try ) peritoneal dialysis, for which I am eternally thankful!  We all had your feelings of helplessness, disbelief, and yes, anger, I am quite sure...  It does get better with time and knowledge.  The more you learn, the better you will cope.  Thinking of you and your sweet little daughter that needs her daddy!  Anja

[angieskidney]

  It's not so bad but more of just something we have to do to survive. Just think of it as a battle that won't get you down! You are strong enough! You can get through this for your

[jedimaster]

I know exactly what you are going trough....but think of your family and those you love....be strong...we are all together on this.

[kitkatz]

I was thirty-six when ESRD and dialysis hit me. I had children and a hubby and a job and everything going for me.  Here I am eight years later.  My kids are 21 and 19 now and off to their own lives;  One in college, the other working.   My hubby and I have made it through the last eight years together.  We make accommodations for each other.  I still work.  You can still be a dialysis patient and be alive and active.  PM me anytime or go to the chat room.   I can answer questions here.  I can totally relate to your experience.  Freaking out is a normal way to feel as you start out.  I did not have warning and it was emergency dialysis that got me started in the hospital one night.  I got to freak out in the hospital while doing dialysis.

Welocme and we are here to help!

[MattyBoy100]

Hey John,

It's not all bad!  This site is used for anyone connected by kidney failure.  There is a lot of good that comes out of it as well.  I'm 34 and have been on dialysis for four months.  I'm working full - time as well.  You can lead a long and fulfilling life if you just take care of yourself and don't push yourself too hard.  You have to accept some changes to your body and your lifestyle with dialysis.  As you've been told already, get registered for a transplant cos that is definitely the way to go.

If you have any questions feel free to ask or Email.  I was nervous about having my "veins joined together" (aka fistula) as well but it's not so bad and I always get a laugh from people's reactions when they touch it!

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Jonn, good to have you aboard.

[Fighter]

Hey Jonn. Dialysis sucks but on the bright side, there's never been a better time than now to start dialysis! Medicine has advanced a great deal in the last few decades and it will keep improving in the future. You have several options to keep you alive if your kidneys have failed: hemo (I guess that's what you went for since you're getting the fistula), pd, transplant. I think what you need right now is information. And you've come to the right place for that.
Welcome ! 

[angieskidney]

John when you are scared it is best to become knowledgable! Knowledge is power! Don't let this Kidney Disease get the best of you! I was scared too at first when I got my fistula (even though I've been on a different type of dialysis where I had a catheter in my belly and didn't have to deal with needles). I had to get one this year because I am now on hemo dialysis. Knowledge is power! The docs don't tell you everything so it is good that you are on this site! When you know everything then you won't feel so overwhelmed but you will feel in control again! Good luck and if you have any numbing in your fingers you tell them! K? 

[Bette]

Hi John,

Welcome to the site.  Everyone here is very helpful.  I can relate to your feelings.  I am sending you a big  . 

[nextnoel]

Hi, John, welcome to the IHD site!    

Not to worry!  It's normal to feel really down when you're facing a big change in your life - you'd really be weird if you "took it all in stride"!  Don't be too hard on yourself for being upset, just help it fade away by learning all you can (this site is a goldmine), and I'm sure you'll find things'll be more manageable as time goes on.  Knowledge will help you feel more in control, it'll help take the power out of the "unknown" aspects of what you're dealing with, and you'll be amazed at the strength you'll find in yourself!  I applaud you for reaching out, and I'm cheering for you already!

And it's plain to see that Maiah is just adorable - my daughter is 34 now, and I can still picture her at Maiah's age - what a treat!  She's the best motivation you could ever have!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community!  This is exactly where you need to be.  There are so many posts here which will be able to help you as you prepare yourself for this challenge of dialysis.  Read, and ask questions.  Rant and rave when you need to.  We have been there, so we know exactly how you feel.  This site is a source of strength and as Angie said, knowledge is power!
 

[sandman]

  John.  You've come to the right place where people here understand what your going through and are very willing to help you get through it.  You have a wonderful little girl there and she is worth it to stick around to watch her grow up.

[Jaybird]

The fistula thing is the first step to wards hemo, and its the right step.

Your lucky they think you have the right type of veins for it.

Dialysis DOES suck, and so does everything associated with it, but life goes on.

I don't think anyone who has gone through what we have, hasn't cried till it hurts at least once. I know I went through about 3 months of solid depression before I coped with it. (and that was before dialysis) Once you start dialysis and get on with your life, you realize its just another shitty inconvenience, and you have to work around it. But it is workable.

I suggest looking into a transplant also, and I also suggest seeing if the home system is a viable option. The home system will save you time and heartache at the clinic.

-Jaybird

[Nan]

John...welcome to this amazingly understanding and caring site, where we all gather together in support when times are good and bad.  You were so lucky to find this before all of this is starting to your system, because all of the answers are here and by "lay people".  Also know that at this time your body is tired....VERY tired and unable to do and think as it used to. Time does heal.
Hope to hear from you often, Good luck, Nan

[mallory]

Welcome, Jonn, I'm so glad you found this site.  I'm just going to start dialysis, too, and this site has been so helpful.  Ask anything you want, there are lots of caring and supportive people here for you!  Good luck! 

[jbeany]

 

I'm in the process of starting, too.   It's all very big and scary, but the more I learn on here, the more I think I can handle it.  Do yourself the biggest favor you can do, and get informed!  That way, instead of being scared, you can be the one scaring the docs and nurses, by making them answer all your tough questions!

Hang in there!

[Lucinda]

Hi Jonn,

I am getting my graft on Friday as well. I am 45 and probably have to start dialysis early next year.  I am a great believer of taking each day as it comes because I think we handle things much better at the time of an event than we give ourselves credit for.

I'm sure you are going to be fine.  Let us know how you are going.  You are lucky you are a bloke with big strong veins, we girls need grafts more often than not because of small veins.  Keep your chin up, I'll let you know how I go as well.  xxx  

[Zach]

The fistula thing is the first step to wards hemo, and its the right step.

Your lucky they think you have the right type of veins for it.

Don't forget to exercise your arm for several weeks (at least) to help mature the fistula and veins.